Holcim set to start cement export to Tripura

Holcim (Bangladesh) Limited is all set to begin cement export to the eastern Indian state of Tripura this week. Holcim, Bangladesh has achieved Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Certificate, the first Bangladeshi cement company to obtain the certificate. Earlier, some other local cement companies had entered the Indian market but could not continue due to non-recognition from Indian standard authorities. But officials of Holcim said the company would be able to sustain export as it has achieved BIS Certificate. Shipment procedures of Holcim’s first consignment of 1000t have already begun.

Latifur Rahman, chairman of Holcim (Bangladesh) and Transcom Group, said attaining BIS Certificate will help Holcim export cement to India in a sustainable way. ML Debnath, president of Tripura Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, "We even need to import bricks. So, Bangladesh has many products to offer us. If infrastructure, transport and visa problems are solved, trade will flourish between India and Bangladesh."

 Ramit Budhraja, managing director of Holcim (Bangladesh), said it took about one and a half years to comply with every step of quality process right from the limestone mines and clinker plants in Thailand to grinding plants in Bangladesh. With this people of Tripura will get cement at an affordable price, he expressed.